Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

Animal Farm by George Orwell

16 reviews

riverofhorton's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was an incredibly thought-provoking book from start to finish and something that I can see myself revisiting in the future.

I went into this knowing it was an allegory for Stalin's Russia, but knowing little about the USSR, I didn't know how that would present. I found it most interesting that we see a lot of Napoleon's early tactics in the politics of today, especially right-wing groups, I also find this parallel to be deeply unsettling in nature, and and wonder how long it will be before we are like the other farm animals of this book, if our real-world politics continue down the path they are on.

On a more personal note, I saw a lot of my past self within the character of Boxer, as well as a lot of people no longer in my life in Napoleon's character. It was slightly disconcerting as such an animal lover myself to draw these comparisons, but it did remind me of how far I've come in the past few years.

To end on a lighter note, I enjoyed reading about the dynamic between Boxer and Benjamin, and find myself wondering if the intention was to portray a queer love between the two male characters, or if that was just my brain. I did also find the characterisation of the cat to be perfect throughout.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Toxic friendship, Blood, Bullying, Grief, Gun violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Ableism, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Animal cruelty, Murder, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Classism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, War, Xenophobia, Death, Gore, Racism, Alcohol, and Chronic illness

literallysam's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Animal Farm is a political allegory for the Russian Revolution, in which many of the animals (human-like characters) represent the key historical figures of the time. Though it can still be read & enjoyed if you don't get any of the allusions to Lenin, Marx, Trotsky or Stalin. But there's no doubt that the message behind this book is an important one.

In terms of Orwell's writing and the plot, it is basic. An easy read if you are 10-14 y/o. There are many quotes that I liked (slide to read). I loved the words of the proud anthem “Beasts of England". I admired Boxer’s noble sense of dedication & self-sacrifice.
However, there are some problems as well..
•The constant theme throughout the book and especially the ending suggests that Revolution is useless, that things will remain how they've always been, neither getting better nor worse. Reliving tragedy and atrocities of an evil government is just one part of the equation, making our own revolution should be the other. So, the ending could've been better.
Similarly, there's this character in the book, Benjamin who is intelligent but still doesn't "exercise his faculty" and when other animals ask for his help, he refuses to "meddle in such matters".(Real bourgeoisie behaviour)
•The book also critiques the working class more than Stalin. Orwell writes like an aristocrat- calling the animals , illiterate, stupid & forgetful throughout the book.
•Another con is that the book is too political in nature. It's like Orwell has laid down a fable in respect of only his own opinions, not allowing the readers to form their own judgements. A book shouldn't be so heavy handed in its political message and should leave room for readers to make their own opinions.
•Also the allegorical aspect of the book is another issue as it only presents one possible interpretation of reality. This leads to misunderstanding of the complexities of real-world political events.

Overall, Animal Farm serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of giving too much power to one person or group, and the importance of staying vigilant and questioning authority.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Slavery, Alcoholism, War, and Violence

elizabeth_1111's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The best book i ever read.This changed my perspective on literature, it really showed me the thing you can do with a book! The allegory WOWED me!

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gore, War, Blood, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Murder, Toxic friendship, Violence, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Classism, Gaslighting, Animal death, and Excrement

hannah_cogo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Blood, Slavery, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Deportation, Gun violence, Alcohol, and Kidnapping

Minor: Violence, War, Suicide, and Torture

meganpbennett's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

Animal Farm was on a book challenge list and it was short, so I gave it a try. It has a lot of similarities to 1984, Orwell's best-known work, specifically the use of changing history to best suit the present, the use of a mouthpiece to speak for the ruler, and the use of scapegoats to cover when things go wrong. It was also dark and violent. 

If you want to read an Orwellian look at the world, read 1984. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Eating disorder, Excrement, Violence, Gun violence, Murder, Slavery, Animal death, Gaslighting, Body horror, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Animal cruelty, Blood, Classism, War, and Alcohol

thechocolatefinger's review against another edition

challenging funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gaslighting, and Murder

Moderate: Alcohol, Violence, Slavery, and Confinement

Minor: Gun violence, Bullying, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping

emmagreenwood's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Death, Animal death, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Violence, War, Bullying, Animal cruelty, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Torture, Gaslighting, Murder, Physical abuse, Slavery, and Confinement

fatimadambatta's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, War, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Classism, Confinement, Gaslighting, and Murder

trinidad_gondi's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gaslighting, and War

Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Classism, Confinement, and Violence

tomtomonomtom's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Jfc, Orwell delivers. Everything hits the fan, no object misses, not even one. I read this novel because I am a fan of Orwell's essays and his writing style, I want to see in turn how he writes a novel. 

Took me a surprise that's for sure, but the novel did carry along with it the typical Orwell political topics (as it did with 1984). Least to say, this novel is depressing as hell and I was already in such a crisis before reading this. 

The characters, because of their way of portrayal as animals, works wonders when it comes to symbolizing their role in the mad house. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Gaslighting, Murder, Toxic relationship, Torture, Xenophobia, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, and Physical abuse

Minor: Deadnaming